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Don't be a jerk if you're quitting work

Koula Vasilopoulos, of Office Team, reminds workers who are quitting their jobs to be professional about it, to give proper notice and to do the job well in their final weeks.

Photograph by: Stuart Gradon
, Calgary Herald

Managers get a lot of interesting reasons why people say they're quitting, but no matter how wacky your reason for leaving, hiring managers say how you leave is more important than why.

They've heard it all. There was the guy who left to join the circus; a person who quit because he hated the carpet; one worker just couldn't get up in the morning; another quit to watch a soccer match.

Other people do it for genuine reasons, such as pursuing their true calling, but having a good exit strategy should be common sense.

However, it's not always the case for departing employees.

"How you leave a job can be just as important as what you did while you were there," says Robert Hosking, executive director of Office Team. The staffing firm paid an independent research firm to survey more than 1,300 senior managers at companies with greater than 20 employees in Canada and the U.S.

It uncovered a long list of bizarre stories. With social media so ubiquitous, it's only made matters more complex when it comes to burning bridges when exiting a company.

"With the world of social media, you have to be extra careful," says Koula Vasilopoulos, a senior regional vice-president of Office Team in Calgary.

OK, so you're leaving to join a rock band, climb Mount Everest, become an apple farmer or you just don't like the sound of filing cabinets - be careful where you step, she says.

"You never know who's going to be interviewing you a month down the road," she says. "It could be a colleague of the person you've just given notice to. Be professional about it."

Doing your work well for those last two weeks - the traditional amount of time given as notice, depending on the role - is important, but human resource professionals understand it can be difficult.

"It's tough to do that because you've already mentally checked out," says Vasilopoulos, "but just give it your all."

One forthcoming former employee, who didn't want his name used, admitted to burning some bridges when he left by shortening his hours, calling in sick and then posting some unflattering things about his boss on Facebook.

"I just wanted out of there, but looking back it wasn't the best move," he says. "The next recruiter I went to ended up having worked at my old company and she knew my old boss."

Needless to say, he didn't get that job. Word has never spread quicker or more easily with current technology, but just being calm about it makes it easier for everyone.

Make sure your start date for the new job also aligns with the departing date for your last job, and do as much as you can to make it easier for the new hire. You could even offer to stay an extra week to help cross-train if you have the time or inclination, adds Vasilopoulos.

"Think about how hopeful you are that somebody's doing that in the (new) role you're going into," she says. "Whether you're leaving because you don't like the colour of the carpet - or you want to join the circus, just stay positive throughout the entire exit."

Tips for a good exit strategy

1. Give proper notice. Tell your boss about your departure first so he or she doesn't hear it through the grapevine. Providing two weeks notice is standard, but if your schedule is flexible, offer to stay longer to train a replacement.

2. Get things in order. Supply written instructions to team members on projects and make sure they have access to the tools and information needed to complete assignments.

3. Stay positive. Take the time to say goodbye and thank you to colleagues. Provide your contact information and reach out to those with whom you'd like to keep in touch.

4. Don't slack off. Use your last weeks on the job to complete as much work as possible on outstanding projects. You want to be remembered as a strong contributor to the end.

5. Talk before you walk. Participate in an exit interview if it's offered. Be honest with your feedback, but keep it constructive and professional. Your comments and suggestions could potentially help to improve the workplace.

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